Police Gratuity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Police Gratuity - Essay Example This paper illustrates that gratuities help in cementing the relationship between the police officers and the public. The police officers who accept gratuities are more informed that police officers who are very strict on law enforcement. Gratuities, therefore, bridge the gap between the police officers and the general public. It offers an avenue where the general public interacts with the police personnel with minimal professional boundaries. On the other hand, it is quite unethical for someone to refuse a gift or an appreciation for favors. Therefore, it serves as a means of expression of human characteristics by the police officer to the public. A gift is known for converting the receiver and the respondent together in a mutual social reciprocation relationship. Gratuities also play a significant role in creating a mutual relationship between the general public and police officers. In the broader perspective, gratuities can be viewed as a method which necessitates community polici ng concept. Police officers, therefore, use gratuities to develop a good relationship with the public. The developed police-public relationship serves as a platform for transferring criminal information from the public to the police officers. Additionally, gratuities are used by criminal investigation department in their investigations. Gratuities reduce the cost of administration of justice. The legal procedure to get justice is sometimes very expensive in terms of resources and time. Additionally, people who are prone to gratuities are frequent users of the police services. The known frequent users of gratuities are businessmen to hide their bad reputation and traits from the general public. On the other hand, gratuities may tamper with police officers ability to administer fair and just services to the public. Police officers are likely to grant preferential treatment to those who are prone to gratuities. In such situation, justice would be administered unfairly. Gratuities overr ate the position of police officer. Police officers who accept gratuities view themselves as very special officers who must be rewarded for their services to the public. Police officers are professionals in their own capacity. They are paid salaries to offer protection and other services to the public. Therefore, acceptance of gratuities is unethical and violation of their professional ethics.